P.E.I. leads country in wage growth

P.E.I. workers led the country inwage growth in the first five months of 2015.

An analysis of Statistics Canada numbers by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council shows average weekly earnings in the province for the first five months of 2015 up 3.8 per cent compared to the same period the year before.

In a news release, the province pointed out the minimum wage has gonefrom $6.80 an hour in 2005 to $10.50.

"This improvement in wages means that the quality of life for Islanders as[a]whole is increasing," said Workforce Minister Richard Brown.

"With wages growing more quickly than the Consumer Price Index, Islanders' earnings have more buying power."

P.E.I. wagesremainthe lowest in the country.

According to Statistics Canada, average weekly earnings for P.E.I. for the month of May, including overtime were $812. That's about $130 below the national average.

INFOGRAPHIC: P.E.I. job numbers